SECTION:       PUPILS  

TITLE:             FOREIGN EXCHANGE STUDENTS

ADOPTED:    OCTOBER 16, 2001

239.  FOREIGN EXCHANGE STUDENTS

1.   Purpose

In order to promote cultural awareness and understanding and to provide diverse experiences to district students, the Board shall admit foreign exchange students into district schools.

2.   Authority 
      8 U.S.C. 
     Sec. 1101

The Board shall accept foreign exchange students who meet the established guidelines for admission to district schools.

The Board shall accept exchange students on a J-1 Visa who reside within the district as participants in group-sponsored exchange programs approved by the Board. Exchange students on a J-1 Visa shall not be required to pay tuition.

The Board reserves the right to limit the number of foreign exchange students admitted to the district to five (5) students per year.

3.   Delegation of        
      Responsibility

The Superintendent or designee shall be responsible for determining the visa status and eligibility of foreign exchange students applying for admission to district schools.

All potential organizations or individuals applying for admission shall forward the request to the Superintendent or designee as soon as possible preceding the school year of attendance.

4.   Guidelines 
      Pol. 203

Foreign exchange students shall comply with all immunization requirements for students. Once admitted, all exchange students shall be subject to all district policies and regulations governing students.

Admission of foreign exchange students shall be subject to the following guidelines:

1.      Students must reach their 16^th birthday during the year they attend Bellefonte High School, and shall be sufficiently fluent in English.

2.      Students may not be a graduate of their native school system. 
 

3.      Students will be considered for admittance on a space available basis. The District must receive supporting materials from students no later than April 1^st preceding the year the student wishes to attend Bellefonte High School.

4.      Resident host families shall submit a statement accepting responsibility for the student and verifying they are serving as a volunteer host without personal profit.

5.      Exchange students shall be encouraged to participate in all student activities and athletics, provided eligibility criteria are met.  

      Title 22 
      Sec. 4.74

6.      A high school diploma shall be awarded to all exchange students who successfully meet Bellefonte High School graduation requirements during the year they attend.

Pa. Code  
Title 22  
Sec. 4.74

8 U.S.C.  
Sec. 1101

Board Policy  
203